Walt Disney Autograph and Sketch on Copy of Ivanhoe

Sold: £25,000.00

Walt Disney (1901-1966) is most famous for his influential work in cartoons and his globally-successful business empire. He innovated both in animation and in theme park design, and was a noted film producer. He was nominated for 59 Academy Awards, winning 26.

This hardcover copy of Ivanhoe, published in 1936 by San Francisco: Bohemian Club (private edition), measures 8" x 5.25". The Bohemian Club was founded in 1872 in San Francisco and operated to this day as a private men's club. Most of its early members were in the entertainment industry.

The inside cover and opening pages of this book are signed by 28 members of the Bohemian Club. Walt Disney's signature is marked in pencil and accompanied by a sketch of Mickey Mouse.

Ink and pencil signatures from other members of the club include Charles G. Norris, Harry I. Weil, G. S. Brush, Matt C. Brush, Frank J. Frost, John Thomas, Fred S. Myrtle, Irvin S. Cobb, Joseph Blethen, Rogers F. Shoemaker, Frank Van Sloun, Ferdinand Burgdorff, Rafael Kubeli, Saul Blythe, Marshall Dill, Jerome Landfield, Clarence Cowan, Chet Woolsey and Dave Garland.

Van Sloun has added a self-portrait caricature while Burgdorff has taken a full page to sketch an owl.Some mild toning, sunning to spine and boards, and some light soiling over Disney's sketch from pencil transfer of Burgdoff's sketch. Otherwise in fine condition.

Disney never completely animated a single Mickey Mouse cartoon or drew a single Mickey Mouse comic. On rare occasions, he would sketch a quickly constructed version of the character. As a result, drawings of Mickey Mouse in Disney's own hand are extremely rare. This 'on the spot' sketch is among the most rare of Disney's drawings.

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